Gregoire: End discrimination, let same-sex couples marry

JOEL CONNELL, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

By JOEL CONNELLY, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Published 12:42 pm, Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, applaud as Gov. Chris Gregoire speaks at a news conference where she said that she wants Washington to become the seventh state in the nation to make gay marriage legal on Wednesday in Olympia. Gregoire said she'll introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow same-sex marriage in Washington state. The Democrat had previously supported efforts to expand domestic partner rights for gay couples, but had not previously come out in favor of full marriage rights. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle,...

Joel Connelly has been a staff columnist for more than 30 years. He comments regularly on politics and public policy.

Gov. Chris Gregoire, delivering a speech of unusual intensity, on Wednesday argued that it is right and it is time for Washington to become the 7th state in America to legalize marriage between same-sex couples.

"I have sorted it out in my head and my heart," said Gregoire, who has signed previous "everything but marriage" laws extending legal protection to gay and lesbian couples, as well as legislation outlawing discrimination based on sexual preference.

She joins New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a practicing Catholic urging state legislators to pass marriage equality even though it is opposed by the church hierarchy. The Empire State legalized same-sex marriage last spring.

"My church, and any church, can exercise their freedom in deciding who to marry: The state should not engage in discrimination," Gregoire said.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia. Canada has also made it legal.

In her speech Wednesday, flanked by four gay and lesbian legislators, Gregoire defined marriage equality as a civil rights issue. She evoked the memory of State Sen. Cal Anderson, the first openly gay member of the Washington Legislature (whose funeral mass was celebrated at St. James Cathedral.)

"Throughout our history, we have fought discrimination," the governor added. "We have joined together to recognize equality for racial minorities, women, people with disabilities, immigrants. Please join today to support equality again in our great state. It is the right thing to do and it is time."

The state started extending rights to same-sex couples in 2008, and expanded domestic partnership in 2009. Religious right groups forced a statewide vote in 2009: Washington voters responded by passing Referendum 71, affirming domestic partnership rights.

A group called Washington United for Marriage has quietly begun a grass roots lobbying campaign in legislators' districts. It is urging same-sex couples to relate their personal experiences.

The Washington State Senate is expected to be the toughest hurdle in the path of same-sex marriage. Groups that put the issue on the ballot in 2009 have also vowed to force a statewide vote in the Legislature enacts marriage equality.

The votes of four Republican state senators made possible passage of marriage equality in New York last spring.

Ex-Solicitor General Ted Olson, who led the legal battle that made George W. Bush president, is co-counsel in a federal court challenge to California's Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot measure that rolled back same-sex marriage. (The Golden State still has domestic partnership laws.)

But opposition to gay marriage has become an ideological litmus test for 2012 Republican presidential candidates.

Typical was the attitude of GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, who quit the race Wednesday, who once declared: ". . . The immediate consequence, if gay marriage goes through, is that K-12 little children will be forced to learn that homosexuality is normal, natural and perhaps they should try it."

Gregoire acknowledged that she has wrestled with the issue. She equated "everything-but-marriage" laws to the "separate but equal" statutes once used in Southern states to keep apart white and African-American schoolchildren.

"When somebody asks me about my marriage to Mike, I don't tell them I have a legal contract," Gregoire said. Instead, referring again to her 36-year marriage, the governor said spousal relations should be defined by "love," "commitment" and "responsibility."

"Our gay and lesbian families face the same hurdles as heterosexual families -- making ends meet, choosing what school to send their kids to, finding someone to grow old with, standing in front of friends and family and making a lifetime commitment," Gregoire argued.

The governor's actions were applauded by two gay members of the Seattle City Council.

"The city of Seattle is on record supporting marriage for same sex couples and we will work with the Governor for passage this year," said Councilman Tom Rasmussen.

Councilwoman Sally Clark called Gregoire's speech "a great step" and that Gregoire's "is a critical voice in recognizing that all people are created equal and should be treated as such by their government."